SUN SALUTATIONS - different versions

Have you noticed that every new class you go to, the Sun Salutation is a bit different? I surely have adapted my salutes to accommodate a few extra breaths here and there, just because it feels good. Also, in my own practice, I have to warm up to the salutes - I cannot just jump out of bed and start bending my spine back and forward. But that's just me.... 
In this short clip, I'll warm you up and walk you through a few of my favorite sun salutations (Surya Namaskar in Sanskrit), so that you can choose what works for you. 

I will start with very simple Sun Salutation flows, so that you can give your body a chance to warm up and develop some strength. And then move into more demanding flows, but nothing too extreme - I still keep a mellow pace and there will be no jumping back-and-forth. 
The whole practice stays light-hearted, flowing and smooth. You can use this as a Sun Salutation tutorial - find a salutation that feels nice, appropriate and non-strivingly doable and keep using it in your daily practice. Or use this AS your practice to gently flow into your day! 

The second half of the video continues into a heart opening flow with some funky heart openers and balancing poses. 

And YES! isn't the backdrop of Berlin spring amazing!! How can one not salute:)! 
Spring in Berlin is energizing - it's colors are such a contrast to the grey winter months, one cannot but rejoice and embrace life, sun and laughter! 
BE HAPPY!


PS - if you like what I do, please click on the Patreon link on the sidebar to find out a very simple way you can support me. 

SUN SALUTATION SLIDE SHOW 

This is a pose by pose breakdown of the different sun salutation versions presented in the video above. Why am I going so go-goo and ga-gaa over Sun Salutation? Let me answer you in the words of two great teachers: 

From a physical standpoint: 
Sun salutation can be a complete practice in and of itself. The poses linked together lengthen and strengthen, flex and extend many of the main muscles of the body while distributing the prana flow throughout the system (Sarah Powers).  

From a spiritual standpoint:
Sun salutation is a prayerful way to give thanks for the sun as well as the spiritual light within us. You salute the outward sun for providing life to the planet and your internal sun for providing consciousness (Richard Rosen) 

VERSION A - easy "stepping-back" Sun Salutations

VERSION B -  Sun Salutations with low lunge

VERSION C - Sun Salutations with high lunge+chaturanga+Updog

SUN SALUTATION printable / downloadable sequence cards

And there's more! Here are sequence cards for all three Sun Salutation practices - you can print them out and use them as "cheat sheets" during your "off-line" practice. 

VERSION A - easy "slepping back salute

VERSION B - low lunge salute

VERSION C - high lunge + chaturanga + updog salutes